European Voluntary Service

in

Azerbaijan

2010-2011

Content

PART I – Projects

- page 3

. Page 13 -

- page 16

page 19 -

- page 22

PART II – EVS stories

New Beginnings – page 27

Multiculturalism 1 – page 28

The Buss Story – page 30

Multiculturalism 2 – Shopping – page 32

Multiculturalism 3 - A walk in the city of Baku – page 34

Multiculturalism 4 - Crossing to new beginnings – page 36

Time for some statistics – page 38

Love in Azerbaijan – page 40

PART I

Projects

Responsible, Cecilia Popa

After participating to this conference:

We said to ourselves, “let’s put all of these social actors to work together for a better ecology in

Azerbaijan” and so, we start to think to what should be the perfect method!

YES!

Let’s make a Platform, a Network in which all NGOs, international organizations, governmental

structures, companies and other social actors can be involved in order to create a Team Work and

to improve how things are developed in ecology!

Ok, so let’s define he purpose, the objectives and what should be the activities!

Purpose: To define a solid platform of NGOs, institutions, government and individuals preoccupied

in ecology issue.

Objectives:

to create a virtual support for all social actors involve in ecology aria in

Azerbaijan

to define the main weaknesses and strengths in ecology aria in Azerbaijan

Activities:

1. Individual Meetings – individual meetings with every each of those organisms direct

interested in ecology aria, to scan the context in Azerbaijan regarding ecology

2. Thematic Working Sessions – group meetings with all those social actors direct

interested in ecology aria to create the platform

3. On-line platform – creating a blog/site, who will be updated frequently with news, grants,

projects etc. in ecology

4. Dissemination – through mass media, on-line supports (social networks: twitter, facebook;

blogs; yahoo and google groups; sites etc.) we will disseminate the result in every step we

make during the project

5. Evaluation – on-line survey on the on-line platform created

So, we get on our ecological walking tool… which in this case, wasn’t either this beautiful bike, but

our proper foots!

After working so hard to a whole database in our amazing office:

We approach more than 60 social actors in order to empower our team and to increase this

project potential. And YES we found out the perfect partner we ever wanted:

in collaboration with

They already had a BIG interested in ecology and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility),

especially in ECOLOGY! And their mission is to assist people and businesses to manage risks

properly in order to let them feel confident and guaranteed!

What other guarantee we should need to realize that together with them we can bring the change

in Ecology in Azerbaijan?

So, we took the challenge!

And we started the work practically and we met the followings:

Non Governmental Organizations

Aydin Freddie Huseynov Green Baku

Elvin Damirov

Lyaman Alyeva

Azad Aliyev Socio-economical investigation NGO

Azer Garaev Animal Protection NGO

Elchin Sultanov Azerbaijan Ornithological Society

Elshan Nuriyev Green Bikers Club

Fagan Aliyev International Ecoenergy Academy

Farida Guseinova Azerbaijani Green Movement

Fikret Djafarov Sustenable Progress

Firuza V. Sultan-zadeh EkoSfera/Social Ecology Centre

Habib Odjagov Professionals' Association on risk situations and population security FOVGAL

Irada Yagubova Independent Research Center "ELS"

Islam Mustafaev Ecological Society "Ruzgar"

Ismail Ismailov "The man and environment" NGO

Kamil Ileasov Public Union "Nature and Human Being"

Lidia Guluzade Scientific Society "Teta Hazri"

Manaf Suleimanov Ecological Union from Azerbaijan

Muslim Gurbanov Scientific Community "Ekoil"

Naila Ismayilova SPARE International

Tarlan Ramezanov Mountain Sportive Club

Telman Zeynalov National Center of Environmental Forecasting

Yevdokiya Khambekova Golden Hive. Been Fan Society

International Organizations

Chingiz Mammadov UNDP - United Nations Development Programme

Gulnara Ifasenova

Christian Gonner GIZ - German International Cooperation

Shahin Isayev

Eli Waite Peace Corps

Jackie Dent

Kakha Bakhtadze CENN/Caucasus Environmental NGO Network

Michel Viland OSCE/The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Baku Office

Natik Umarov UNICEF/The United Nation Children's Fund. Azerbaijan Country Office

Parviz Yusifov European Union Delegation in Azerbaijan

Companies

Faiq Jafarov SOCAR/State Oil Company of Azerbaijan/AZNEFT

Nurinj Jalilova

Oktay Aliyev SOCAR/State Oil Company of Azerbaijan

Ramil Rustamov

Governmental Structures

Lars Ragnar Aalerud Hansen Embassy of Norway

Sovkat ? Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Azerbaijan

Others

Zaur Hamzajev physic person

Great meetings!

And, as if it wasn’t enough, we carried out an on-line survey, approaching also, the NGOs which

whom we couldn’t reach to meet!

Here are some slides from the big presentation which took place at the 1st Workshop:

Ecology in Azerbaijan in

the beginning of 2011

EVS Volunteers

Partnership

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

extremely

important

important not so important absolutely

unimportant

How do you evaluate the importance of the following partnerships that you are

having right now?

Governmental

Particular

International

Company

PlatformDo you think a Solid Platform in Ecology in which all the NGOs in ecology,

governmental structures, companies, other organisms and individuals are

involved in a very transparent way, it would be helpful for you?

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Yes

No

NEA

Methodology

Individual Meetings (IM) On-Line Survey (OS)

Method: Interview

Instrument: Interview Guide

Respondents: 33 (all social

actors)

Indicatives:

- activities

- results

- issues/solutions

- grants

- partnership

- platform

Method: Sociological Inquiry

Instrument: Questionnaire

Respondents: 9 (only NGOs)

Indicatives:

- activities

- results

- SWOT Analyze

- issues/solutions

- grants

- partnership

- platform

Results

development of energy system

international partnerships

human resources strategy

REC Caucasus

doing something together

partnerships with WWF, BP, CPEF

valorization by donors on the projects managed with

success

permanent projects

succed projects

members in a platform

mass-media audience

big projects

Grants

• Difficulties accessing money! (IM)

• Confused answers (OS): “very difficult” in the

same time with “very easy” @ the question How

easy is for your NGO to accessed the following

funds?

-> The same @ the question How much your

NGO depends on funds?

• SOLUTION - Social Entrepreneurship – the

capacity of transforming issues in opportunities!

Of course, no project without MEDIA!

Reaching to this step, we found out another solid partner, extremely open and formidably

friendly:

It is useless to tell that starting from this point, we had all the support from Azerbaijan Media

Center! And we had it here firstly:

And we appear at least here:

1.http://www.azertag.gov.az/index_az.jsp?id=1533&date=2011-04-13

2.http://www.salamnews.org/az/news/read/45897/azerbaycanda-ilk-ekologiya-shebekesi-oumlz-

ishine-bashalayir/

3.http://www.interfax.az/az/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=66616&Itemid=70

4.http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3AtmWoCqHzy3YJ%3Awww.azconta

ct.com%2Ftopics_az.asp%3Fid%3D3953%26pb%3D4%26vr%3Daz%26yr%3D2011%26mn%3D4%

26day%3D13%26mdn%3D1+Az%C9%99rbaycandak%C4%B1+Ekoloji+%C5%9F%C9%99b%C9%99k

%C9%99&cd=4&hl=ru&ct=clnk&gl=az&source=www.google.az

5.http://www.azecology.az/news/inthecountry/1640-az601rbaycanda-t601l601b601l601r.html

6.http://mediacentre.az/az/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=312%3Aazrbaycanda

-ilk-ekoloji-bk-&catid=34%3Anews

7.http://www.baki-xeber.com/new/2011/04/14/get=58199

8.http://obyektiv.tv/index.php?view=video&id=1517%3Aekoloj-problemlrn-hll-uecuen-qht-bks-

yaradilir-&option=com_jomtube&Itemid=17&lang=az

9. http://www.youtube.com/user/Obyektivtv?blend=1&ob=5#p/u/0/jxB_Wu6USPw

Absolutely, we had to define one website in order to support our network, because one of the

objectives were to create a virtual support for all social actors involve in ecology aria in

Azerbaijan… so here there is our lovely website: www.nea.az!

Thank you Nihad Yolchuyev & Sevinj Quliyeva for your wonderful contribution!

And yes, after long preparations… 2 hard workshops followed:

The reports regarding the workshops, you can find them on NEA’s website!

Who was present @ our 2 Workshops? Organization/Institution

Aydin Freddie Huseynov Green Baku

Azer Garayev IUCN ENPI/FLEG; Animal Protection NGO

Babazade Gultakun Ecoscop

Bariz Mehaze Regional Environment

Chimnaz Shabanova Ecoscope

Elchin Sultanov Azerbaijan Ornithological Society

Elcin Amuxbir AzerTAC

Eltekin Omarov GIZ - German International Cooperation

Elvin Damirov Green Baku

Elxon Aliyev SOCAR/State Oil Company of Azerbaijan

Emre Gulbahar Schneider Electric

Ershad Ezimzade Quba

Farida Guseinova Azerbaijani Green Movement

Fariz Qaraev Ecological Resources

Fikrat M. Jafarov Sustainable Development Public Union

Fuad Akhund-zadeh "Nature and Life"

Galina Kozlova Public Union "Ekograf"

Habib Abasov Qaba

Habib Odjagov Profesionals’ Association on risk sistuations and population security FOVGAL

Henschel Sandvo UNDP

Ibrahim Mammadzadeh ECOS

Irada Yagubova Independent Research Center „ELS”

Kakha Bakhtadze CENN - Caucasus Environmental NGO Network

Katalin Szlovicsak EVS Volunteer

Khalid Mikayilov CESD

Leyla Mentiyeva ENPI/FLEG

Leyla Sadıxova Temiz Sheher

Lidia Guluzade Scientific Society „Teta Hazri”

Manaf Suleimanov Ecological Union from Azerbaijan; ACEP

Marius Fossum Norway Embassy

Nabizade Zargalam Ecological Society RUZGAR

Nariman Agayev Davamli Inkisaf Arasdirmalari Merkezi

Nigar Kirimova IUCN ENPI/FLEG

Nino Shavgulidze CENN - Caucasus Environmental NGO Network

Niyazi Aliyev DI Center

Rasim Agayev Educational Center for Youth

Rasim Aliyev Ministry of Industry and Energy

Rauf Rzayev RUZGAR

Roman Enekorg

Sabir Suleymanov Social Problems and Ecology "Damiragaci"

Sabr Abdulaev ENECORG

Sadig Rzayev FMESA - Fund of Monitoring of Ecological Standards of Azerbaijan

Sakit Huseynov Sutainable Development NGO

Sandro Henschel UNDP - United Nations Development Programme/OBSERVER

Sena M. Allaverdova Environment Continuu Development

Sevil Yuzbasheva Eco World Public Union/Eco Alem

Sevinc Heyderova Alternative Eco

Sevinj Mirzayeva Azerbaijan Ornithological Society

Shahin Isayev GIZ - German International Cooperation

Shamil Ismayilov Ecological Stability "Ekos"

Tavakkul Iskenderov "Biodiversity Center" NGO

Telman Zeinalov National Center of Environmental Forecasting

Trada Aleskerova UNICEF/The United Nation Children's Fund. Azerbaijan Country Office

Vusal Guliyev Council of State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations under the President of Republic of Azerbaijan

Xalid Minayelov CESD

Zara Nadizade Scientific Community "Ekoil"

Zaur Hamzayev ENECORG

Zitta Hasanova ENPI/FLEG

You were ABSOLUTELY amazing!!! Thank you for your HUGE support!

Janina Pasaniuc

Marius Hărduţ

Anar Suleymanov

Bahruz Karimli

Elman Francisco

Elvin Aslanov

Fexreddin Hesenzade

Ikram Aslanov

Nurlan Ahmadov

Vuqar Rustamli

Ruslan Aliyev

Gulnara Akhundova

Sabina Khan

Seymur Kazimov

Sevinj Gulmaliyeva

Vusal Rajabli

Elnur Axund

Ingilab Farzaliyev

Mubariz Gadirov

Rasim Agayev

Vusal Guliyev

Angela Nicoară

Leyla Gahramanova

Sabina Salmanova

Ulviya Mammadova

Responsible, Daniel Valachi

Green Techno Billboard Fundraising Party

For supporting financial our projects, at least, partially, we thought, let’s just create a BIG ECO

party in this way. And so, Green Techno Billboard Fundraising Party was

created!

Why our party was the BEST? Well:

Because it was the 1st social event on ecology in Baku of this type

Because together with our partners developed the community

Because this idea generated other similar ideas

Because we brought in one place Social Event and High Class Party at European

Standards

So, we invited one of the biggest international DJs of our times: DJ NASTIA!

Check her here: http://vipartist.ru/performers/russian_fashion_dj/dj_nastia_beauty/

But just let the pictures speak by its selves here:

THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO OUR PARTNERS FOR BEING THERE AND SUPPORT!!!!

Responsible, Ioana Marcu

Working Together for a Better World!

We were thinking: ok, so, we will do this EVS time and then, what? Let’s just make one fallow up

of it? And we did it! We applied at 1st April one project on Youth in Action so we can come again in

Azerbaijan to see how ecology is developing after our departure!

Look @ Ioana, how hard was she working on this:

So, basically, the project “Working Together for a Better

World” is a multilateral youth exchange with neighboring

partner countries, organized by a group of young people, members of Azerbaijan Students’ Union.

The main aim of the project is capturing reality, which surrounds us. If the participants will use

their creativity and cooperation having a common goal, the turn out will be beyond their

imagination.

Purpose: to discover the environment through the camera lenses while working together to bring

a small environmental change in area of Quba. We will raise awareness among youth on ecology

issues while we practice media skills through bringing together youth from 6 different cultures,

providing them the opportunity to discuss and take action on Environment. Taking action is the

drive in bringing the change we wish in the world. By being creative in taking action, the youth

skills will develop further, which means that when the circumstances around them will change,

they will be prepared in acting creatively when the context requires.

Objectives:

Raise awareness among youth on ecology issues

Work, live and learn together while developing media skills

Bring a small change in the big world on principle: think globally, act locally

Plenty of themes are related to our project, as:

Cultural diversity

Environmental issues and practical solutions

Volunteering

Creating and using different media activities in various situations

Taking care of the body while working with it

Freedom, trust, courage

Management skills

Social communication

Group dynamics

Leadership, active participation

Person as individual, person in a team, person in nature

Breaking routines and taboos, handling diversity

Learning, leaving and working together

Self – expression, communication, spontaneity

Thank you for the support!

Responsible, Andreea Florea

Trainings in Ecology for Students

Biensur that we did more than these! We also developed one context for handling trainings in

ecology for students!

Purpose: to raise awareness about ecological issues among Azerbaijani students.

Objectives:

On personal level:

To learn how to work in groups/teams

To learn how to express their ideas assertively in frond of a group

To learn how to be more proactive and to take initiative

To learn that they have the power to make a positive change in the community they

live in

On professional level:

To learn how to act ecologically in a concrete way at a personal level/family

level/friends level/school-job level/community level

To learn that even their smallest actions have a consequence on the

environment they live in

To learn to take responsibility for these actions

To learn how to involve themselves in a concrete way in the ecological issues

which exist in their country

The main topics we reached were:

T he present situation of environment in the world and in Azerbaijan

The most stringent problems which the planet is faced with and its possible

solutions

What does it mean to be Eco? Eco actions in everyday life by every person,

in order to reduce the negative effects on the environment

How to become more aware of impact that our everyday actions have on the

environment

How to become aware of our feelings regarding environmental protection

How to develop efficient acts based on our awareness about ecology.

Thank you Azerbaijan Students’ Union, Youth Center and ACT NGO for your

Splendid Support!

But our pics speak by its selves:

Responsible, Andreea Florea & Ioana Marcu

Nature Adventure Eco-Camp

The main aim of this ecological camp is spending a very enjoyable leisure time in nature while

training in environmental education, survival, wild nature orientation with and without compass,

more over we support and encourage voluntary work, team work, awareness on your print in

nature, being inspiring leader.

In just few words, the main objective of the camp is: personal development through eco

awareness.

The young people closed to nature, while spending time outdoor, will develop skills related to:

Different types of communication (with nature and each other)

To voluntary work (individual and in teams)

To create a friendly environment to live in (clean, recreate and prevent).

At the end of Eco-Camp participants will acquire new knowledge, gain self-confidence, to realize

the need to protect nature and the importance of doing.

For one week, young people will help greening and planning of recreational areas combining four

important facts in everyone’s life: knowledge, work, enjoy and sport.

The participants will be divided into teams with names chosen by the participants and their own

mascot. During the camp days, they will participate to different activities. After each activity

they will receive eco points. These eco points will bring to each team a prize and a title @ the

camp’s closing ceremony!

The project wasn’t implemented during our term there, BUT we have BIG expectations that

this camp will take place in the next future! So, go for it guys!!!

Thanks

Well there… this is just a part of our time as EVS volunteers, because the fun and joy and parties

are memories hard to express and even if it should be possible to lay in words, one single report it

wouldn’t be enough!

So, for those unrelated facts shoot us on facebook:

Andreea Florea, as Andries – http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001288513676

Cecilia Popa, as Cecik – http://www.facebook.com/cecilia.popa

Daniel Valachi, as Dănuţu – http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000827374125

Ioana Florea, as Ionel – http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=789603551

Till then, check these out:

PART II

EVS stories

New Beginnings

New experience in a different world at the edge between Europe and Asia, as I like to say, has

started on 7 November 2010. The departure was more quick than I imagined. I still remember the

call from Marius (Romanian coordinator).

''- Hi Ioana, I'm Marius from ACT. We saw you applied for the project in Azerbaijan, we want to

inform you that you have been accepted. The departure is on 1st of November in two weeks.

Please send us the confirmation in 2hours!''

In the mean time I was preparing for a meeting with the ESN Iasi Manager and one of my best

friends also, Simina. We were in the preparations for the next party/project. I was expecting

this type of call for some time. I just forget it and lived the moment. I dedicated a big part of

my time to ESN Iasi.

THE call came in the wrong moment. The decision making process didn't last to long one hour. My

reasons for accepting this proposal were various, but I remember my dear mother asked me: do

you wanna leave there just because you don't have a job here? Of course I said no to her. This

was the main reason... followed by others. While taking the decision, a question pop-t in my head

over and over: What are you waiting for? Is a great opportunity! Almost the right Time! Just

go for it!

And... I did! I am here. I am one of the 4 Romanian crazy guys that left in Baku, Azerbaijan for

six months! The first time we (the girls) met in ''Gara de Nord'' the main train station of

Bucharest, for visa. The Moldavian/Romanian guy met us where? In the plane! He almost lost it.

After two weeks we still don't know each other but every night before sleep we have a ''kitchen

meeting''. What happens there? Uiiii you must be here to see. One thing is for sure: is not

passing a day without laughing, laughing and laughing and laughing.

To be continued... wrote on 22 November 2010

Multiculturalism 1

Since we are here, is not passing a day/night without guests. :)

They love us and we love them!

Who are this mystery guys?

Well think about ESN Iasi volunteers when they met the 2010 Erasmus people from Iasi. Exactly!

They are ASU volunteers or related to ASU. In the first days we have met so many people than

even now we don't know the name of all of them, and not just because of they're names.

For those whom never experienced something similar - to be THE foreigner that everyone wants

to met and spend time- might be a bit overwhelming. Some of us had this feeling and they still

struggle with it. In this kind of moments I remember about the ''Cultural Shock'' - Marius was

talking about it.

At first sight there is no obvious cultural difference. If you are not aware of your own culture

you cannot make the difference, you just think: ''Why they do this? It's stupid! We do not do

like this!''

Well... let me tell you some things that you might already know: everyone is different! even

between us ''Charlie's Angels'' (or Danu's Angels?) there are differences in the way we act and

think. Here it is the cultural difference between the regions of the same country.

I faced cultural difference from the airport. Our new friends came after us the airport. After

we made acquaintance the guys (only boys came after us) offered themselves to take our luggage.

Me and the girls we sad no is OK we can alone. They insisted many times until we gave up. Later

(hours/days) I understood why they insisted so much. One of them told me: ''Is not good for us

to be seen with you caring the baggage and us with empty hand.'' Also they do not feel

comfortable if one of the girls pay for them.

In one of the days I wanted to pay the buss at the driver. I went straight to the driver, I gave

the money and I left happy and feeling good that I passed the time and language barrier. After

the event, Elgun came to me saying: Never do that again when is a guy with you! Of course I asked

Why? What happened? The answer was the same as the one above. Since than we put the money

together and we give to Dan or one of the guys to pay in bus, restaurant, internet cafe, shopping.

Most of the times our new friends not want to receive the money. I was a little bit angry/feeling

bad because they were paying for us all the time so I told them: You cannot pay for us all the

time! You will be broke very soon!

Do you think something changed?

Well.... just a little bit. We practice some small strategies in order to feel good both of the

parts. Going with the buss in Baku it can be a great and unique experience. This is another story

to tell....

See you later Alligator!

wrote on 23 November 2010

The Buss Story

Usually when you want to travel by buss (in the city) you buy

the ticket, than you stamp it and you take a sit, or you have a

monthly pass and either you just show to the buss driver either not and you take a sit. The people

give their place to old people or pregnant mothers or with child in their hands. Sometimes boys

give they r place to beautiful girls.

Well.... here in Baku, is different.

What? Everything!

The ticket is 20 qapik (15-17 euro cents). You must pay this money to the bus driver but not when

you get in the bus! When you get to your destination you get down from the buss, you run (or walk

slowly) to the front of the buss at the driver and pay those 20 qapik/person. Ticket? No ticket!

Let's say they are Eco. The company doesn't waste paper for tickets. Good for you!

In our first day here we had a funny situation. After we let our luggage in our new apartment

(which by the way is huuuuge) we went to eat with our new friends and we took the buss. We got

in, we talk, talk and talked till Vuqar said let's go! Me and the girls we said than... and the

ticket? How much were is it? You didn't buy? We go for free? Of course he said don't worry!

We go! After two days going with the buss we noticed what's happening...

When a girl/women gets in the buss, all the guys that are sitting raise up to give their seat to

the girls/women - except the guys from the last row. The guys/men from there will not gave up

their seat and is not expected to do so because it is as an unwritten rule as giving up the seat for

women. Those who are on the last row are usually Very tiered and sometimes I saw them

sleeping. While you are reading you may think: Oh but this is not different here is happening the

same! Well... you're wrong! We 3 girls and a boy when we get in a buss we can see and feel the

phenomenon. 5-10 guys/me getting up from their seat so you can take a seat, it is something!

If you refuse they insist again and again and again. At first I was feeling very bad because they

were just getting up so I can seat because I decided to get in the buss at that moment. I felt

strange and I still feel it. I wanted to see how they react when a women/girl is getting in the

buss, if they feel like "ohhh she is in... I MUST get up ... I don't want to!".

What do you think? In 3 weeks, 21 days of traveling almost every day by buss I NEVER EVER saw

that expression. I guess it's in their nature and they don't concept them the boys to seat down

and a girl to stay up in the buss. For me and the girl was very unusual to see and experience this

and when someone was doing this for one of us we were smiling and having the "wow effect".

About Dan... he got used very fast to this custom, faster than us!

The time with the buss...

When we ask via e-mail Vuqar and Elvin about the placement of our flat, they said it is near to

city center. One mistake that we did ..we didn't asked: what means near for you? When we read

the e-mail we were exited to hear is near city center, for us near means 5 to 10 min walking.

In our first visit to city center we found out what means near for Azerbaijani people. Near with

buss is equal to 45-60 minutes, near on foot equals to 20-30 minutes. You think this road with

buss is normal for a big city but the drivers here are crazy! more crazy than in Romania. It's true!

Nobody is following the driving rules. Many times the busses are going on the wrong way of the

road and they don't respect each other (the busses). It's strange and a huge paradox. You can

easily see how much men respect the women and the drivers don't respect each other. We almost

had an accident because of this - two buses - one wanted to go in front of the other by the wrong

way an the other got angry so he tried to intimidate the other - so we were at 1 cm distance of a

buss crash. Thank God they have VERY good breaks.

When you are in the buss and you don't have the luck to have a seat it is much recommended to

have tree hands so you can keep yourself secure to be safe.

If we forget all these stuff about driving and safety, many times the Buses are very efficient.

They can run faster than the metro which is a big plus (but this

only if you get a "crazy" driver). One more thing... here the buses

are at the client disposal. I believe they work on the principle: The

client our owner!

wrote on 29 November 2010

Multiculturalism 2 - Shopping

Here it is pretty difficult to find in a place all you need or

almost all. For example in Romania we have Carrefour -

supermarket, computers market clothes shops, accessories

and house decorations. The shops are individual in various places and in many of them you can

negotiate. Except the prices from the shops which are in a mall/shopping center are not

very different from others.

We got a conclusion: Everything is expensive in Baku for us.

On first December we were invited at a cocktail to celebrate the National day of Romania.

Andreea and I we choose to skip the office hours in this Special Day also because she need it

something to wear for the night.

So I said ok. Let's go shopping alone without any Azeri person. We were very exited because we

were doing something big alone in a country where we don't speak the language, we don't

understand anything and they don't speak or understand English or Romanian. Ok... they speak

Russian but the only one who speaks Russian is Danu and he went to office with business. When we

enter in a shop we are used to say ”Salam” which is Hello/ Good day. The people here sometimes

answer sometimes not. Those who know us they smile and come very helpful saying ”Salam Salam!”.

The fact was that we entered in a shop... we looked and tried to find the price without asking

because once they see you are foreigner they rise the prices double or triple and you must

negotiate. How to negotiate if we can't understand each other? The girls in the shop saw we ere

interested in some things and they started to talk with us. We said ”Yox Azerbaijani!”... they

continued to speak and speak ... Finally we left but we felt very strange and somehow angry

because we can't speak with them. In other shop they said very cute: ”aaa English? Very bad we

don't speak.” In the final shop from where Andreea bought her dress the women didn't know

English but they really tried to help us and we used the few words we know in Azeri and some

English and mostly the body language. At the end they told us the price in English (even if we

already knew it :P) and Good Bye. They were very nice and sweet we will definitely go back.

I noticed this type of comportment almost everywhere they smile a lot and come to see if you

need help and also they are very curios to see what you buy. When we go to the supermarket

closest to our flat easily you can see that we make some kind of phenomenon.

All employees including the supervisor gather at the ”cash ...!!!??” and they start speaking to each

other and looking at us and smiling. At Ledera's (other supermarket) the things are just a bit

different. They don't gather together because it is bigger the supermarket (I believe this

is the cause) but they announce each other that ”Attention! the foreigners are here! ”. You can

see on their faces the happiness that we bring by our presence. Very soon they will get used to

us there... Another thing more funny is that every time when we go for weekly groceries our very

good friend Bahruz is with us and the employees and the people from the supermarket are asking

him ”from where are they/ what they speak?” maybe they ask what they eat, drink, breath... :D I

don't actually know what they ask more but it is not impossible. Here everything is possible!

We should get used to this treatment: every eye on us, smiling and helpful people wherever we

go whatever we do. Expat sometime is creepy. From the

moment we leave the building the men's from outside they

just turn and look at us the 3 beautiful Romanian girls :P

sometimes they smile.

wrote on 6 December 2010

Multiculturalism 3 - A walk in the

city of Baku

I can't believe I am saying this: I want to meet some girls. In our

apartment only boys have been inside except me, Andreea and Cecy.

We are all the time surrounded by boys. I like this, I feel good in

this kind of environment but sometimes we need some girl time.

Because it was Saturday and because Danu and Bahruz had a party to attend, Cecy and I were in

the mood for a walk in the city and to discover the city by ourselves. In Romania both we are

more independent and we do what we want when we want. Here we had to adapt fast. So the

opportunity to be only us in the city sounded very, very good. The guys took us to the city center

with the car and than they went to the party.

For us Everything was great! Amazing! We talk, we walked, we listen and observed the waves of

the Caspian Sea, we bought cotton candy and popcorn. It was Girls Night Out... very good!

Until...

Until 2 guys liked us and started to follow us everywhere we went till they approached us. We

tried to escape from them a few time but with success. After a few minutes ... other 2. We

decided to go in Park Boulevard shopping mall. Those 2 followed us in the mall and after in the

shops. They waited us to see the clothes, perfumes, accessories everything. We were entering in

the shops mostly because of them we thought they will get bored and leave but no.

Danu and Bahruz called us to see if we are still in the city. I told them yes we are but we have a

tale with us! The reaction was: Hold on! in 10 minutes we are there!

I must give you some other details.

- After 20:00 the girls normally are not allowed by the parents to go out. Even at 20-24 years.

This is one main reason in establishing the hour in starting the event/party. This special party

started at 18:00. Bahruz told Danu to hurry because everyone is there before the announced

time. Why? Because the girls must be home at 8 p.m. We had the walk from 18 to 21 hours.

- Usually when a boy likes a girl, he doesn't approach her like we all European are used to. Just

go to her/him talk, ask phone number and so on. Here there is more strategy, tactics and

survival!?! The boy follows the girl. First he is looking to see if she is with somebody, if yes

than the quest is over. If not than the fun just begins!

You remember the old romantic stories of our grandmothers of how they met their love? Well I

think here it is something similar.

I feel is safer to fall in love here in Azerbaijan, than in Europe. He will not chase a girl just for

fun or just because has nothing better to do. They cannot concept this as a possibility.

Me and Cecy panic a little bit even if we would've felt good that they are interested on us and

because the men in mall were looking at us. We didn't know how to react what to do more or not

to do. We were saying: I have never ever felt so hunted like now! Everything ended ok when our

men come.

We hugged them and those 2 hunters just disappeared like ice

in the Sun.

wrote on 13 December

Multiculturalism 4 - Crossing to new

beginnings

So much time has passed since I wrote the last note...

In the mean time my new friends have asked to write more. Write about what? Here in Baku

every day is an adventure! Many things have happened, and I do not exaggerate when I

say EVERY day!

The Christmas we have celebrated it in Romanian style with Christmas tree, carols, baked

cookies, cooked food, games and good, good mood for sharing and be together.

New Year it was in Azeri style (almost). Here the New Year is a family holiday, and how our

families were home, we have been in the city center where we watched the Fire Works show, we

drunk and spread champagne all around us. Funny memorable moments!

I don't know if this time to continue story telling about the Azeri customs and culture or just to

share with you about the love, feelings and complications...

For now I guess I will continue with the traditions, I will dedicate a special note just for LOVE.

In Romania we have a custom to celebrate the coming of the Spring through Martisor Day. This

day is the 1st of March. During this day and 8 of March (Mother's day also) we give a small

talisman to family, friends, colleagues so we can give them our joy and warm energy

that Spring brings to us in the beginning of a fresh start.

Azerbaijan is celebrating also the Spring’s arrival. Each week of March, Tuesday is holiday. In

Each Tuesday of the month they celebrate one of the natural elements starting with Water, Air,

Earth and finishing with Fire day. Each day has his custom but the most famous one is Fire Day

(remember Azerbaijan - The Land of Fire).

I will share with you 2 customs that I saw and I remember.

1. If someone knocks at the door, you open the door and what you see is: a hat… or two. You have

to put anything you have cooked in the hat (in the old times - now you put candies, cookies or

money). Then you close the door and the hat disappears! Is not magic or Santa Clause :) are just

young children running from door to door to gather as many candies as they can.

Something funny happened in one of the March's Tuesday. Cecy was home alone, tiered and

hungry - just arrived from office, when she hears knocking on the front door. She opens the door

and guess what! 2 hats on the carpet... Instantly she runs to elevator to see if someone forgot

them. Two small girls and their mother were there surprised and a little bit disappointed in the

same time by the empty hats and Cecy's misunderstanding. Until the time we got home, Cecy

found out the meaning of the hats on the door. The next Tuesday... Cecy had two bags full of

candies for the children! :)

2. The last Tuesday (the Day of Fire) marks the beginning of Bairam Novruz Holliday. During

these days different traditions are followed. An aim of this special week is the celebration of

New Year in Muslim religion.

One of the traditions that I believe is the youth's favorites is jumping over the Fire. How it

works? Well people of all ages are effectively jumping over the fire that they have made in their

yard or neighborhood, or on the street. When or before jumping you must say: „ağırlığn –

uğrluğum tongala” in English is something similar to „all bad things stay behind or be burned by

the fire, so good things have space to come”. During this evening I have seen in town so many fire

places! and yet I didn't hear any fire department sirens. You could hear only the burning wood or

the fireworks in the sky, or the joy and happiness of children, parents and friends.

This day has been followed by many parties. Everywhere in the city it was a new party, bigger and

more famous.

Actually we have been part of one. Our party!

But this... my fellows is another story!

wrote on 11 April 2011

Time for some statistics

We are in Baku, Azerbaijan for 5 months and 10 days. Amazing things happened (as meeting my

Ursuletz) and strange things, adventures requiring skills and personality development and

tolerance!

Let's start with our beautiful flat. In 5 months,

- from over 20 light bulbs only 5 are still working (after changing them 2 times);

- we have remained without electricity every month (different reasons);

- my phone broke 2 times (now it's ok after long waiting);

- in first 2 months shadows and strange noise was present in home (should we call the Ghost

Busters?);

- our tea kettle has become an orange lamp transforming or dinner in a very romantic

environment (now we have a new one);

- 2-3 mugs and 6 cups, 2 plates and 1 ball have broke (most of them we have replaced);

- knob door malfunction 3 times (now is working thanks to Danu);

- I have lost my favorite green t-shirt from Lagos, Portugal - it just flew away from balcony

while he was drying (now we fix the clothes with 2 extra pegs);

- my beloved Buddy slipped in bathroom and fell on the floor with the sing over her (she is fine

but the sink not... )

In the bus or metro:

- almost each day a guy or man gives his place for me, Andreea or Cecy (each time we go by buss

- I go at least with 4 busses);

- I have heard 5 Romanian songs - in Romanian and English (from which 3 were... guess what!

Manele :|);

- because of our joy, beauty and smiles, at least two times people came to us and said: please

take a seat near your wife!

On the street and pubs, clubs:

- I slipped and fell in front of a big scary buss - in the middle of the street (I’ve hurt just my

hand and ego): 3 men came to me to help me but by that time I was up thinking I don't want

to be a flee on the buss's windshield but I appreciate their intention :);

- we have fight many, many times with the wind - to stay on the ground or just to walk to our

flat;

- on 8March we have received in Otto Cafe flowers just because we are women;

- on 8 March also went the first time in a disco where we heard the Romanian wedding song:

„Astă seară-i nuntă mare!”;

- also on 8 March we had a flat tire (thanks to Danu again we reached our destination - but we

lost a disc in a petrol station);

- me and the girls have been followed by boys every time we go without a man, guy, boy - when

we see we are followed we give a call to a friend as strategy (works every time);

- we negotiate prices and sometimes we reach to buy the product three times cheaper;

- in 4 months we never have been in a club here - during last month we have been in clubs/disco

more the we ever thought we will go here (thanks to Kamil and Danu);

- we gave 5-6 TV interviews (from which one was for TV show). We are Famous!

- many times the fact that we are Romanians has opened doors, closed before

Added by Andreea :)

- Our hair also fought many, many times with the Baku wind, especially the Yenni Yasamal

wind...:))

- We went to tea houses and drank very good tea and ate very delicious sweets - how I am going

to miss the whole tea house ceremony from here :)

- We learned how to play Domino: 101 and telephone, and no matter what Kamil and Abbas say, I

do know how to play it :))

- We smoked homemade narghilea in our very own home :)

- - We learned how to cross the road in an illegal way! :D (I can't imagine being

back in Romania and having to cross the street on the zebra :)))

-

wrote on 11 April 2011

Love in Azerbaijan

In a previous note I was relating you about how safe it feels to love and be loved in Azerbaijan.

Since then many things and events have happened with me and my colleagues, all of us.

Well for men, as foreigner men is more difficult to find someone here moreover if he wants just

for one night or nothing serious but is not impossible. A foreigner girl on other hand is very

hard to not be assaulted by guys.

I and the girls have received soooo many invitations and proposals that from a time I was very

against men. I didn't want to hear anything related to men, couples, dating, etc. When I came

here, somehow I knew how the guys are here and I said to myself I don't want anyone knew in

my life, I am good alone, I don't need any distress. Until one day, when someone succeeded in

breaking my promise to me.

He was very clever, persisting; he knew how to act in order to get my attention. I think in those

moments I was acting as an Azeri girl. Some events brought us together. We had good times but

also many fights because the two cultures from which we come from are so different that at a

time you just don't know if is good or not to act in that way. Small things as shaking hands when

you greet someone can make a big disagreement between the two of you. What I have learned

from this relationship is how different we are even if we think we are the same; I learned to

argue; I learned to appreciate more the freedom; I learned to appreciate more small things; I

learned the cultural differences in a couple. If it wasn't him there is a probability of 90% that

I wouldn’t accept to go out with Kamil. You may say: and what? Well I would've said NO to my

THE ONE. I feel and believe that this was my last lesson I had to learn before meeting Kamil so

there are just 2 words I want tell to this mysterious guy: Thank you!

Loving in Azerbaijan may be safe and look easy but actually is pretty complicated. Most of the

people here, boys and girls, when go out with someone automatically they think at marriage.

They go out to find someone to marry, doesn't matter the love or compatibility... if the girl is a

good host, is beautiful and from good family than is good to marry; if the boy is from good

family, has good car, money, parents have money it’s going to be hunted, it's a don't let him go!

Of course there are many criteria’s to fulfill before to get married but... the chance of the

girls is continuous and many times not so adorable.

For us there are many paradoxes attitudes and thoughts. For example if you - as girl- go out for

a tea with someone, automatically he thinks you are his and from that moment you are together.

A date for us or just a tea together for us may be just to see if the two of you have something

in common or just to see how is the other person; or you may accept just because you need a

friend or someone to talk with. Well if you think to

do this here, forget it. As an advice, better you stay in

home or you go out with a women because boys here

they interpret totally different your intention. Also

they have the tendency to go very fast in a relation,

after just 2 days you may hear from him - I love you

- even if u had just date with him or exchanged some sms. What I believe is that many of the

boys here confuse the words/feelings in special in English. Yes I am referring to - I Love You -

with actually - I Want You - You must be mine.

How are they in a relation? Very sweet and careful. They act with a girl as she would be a

porcelain doll. The positive side of this is that you as a girl you feel as you are the queen, the

most beautiful girl, one of the most important persons in his life. You feel protected, spoiled

and cared. What can I say... they make you feel very good as long as they are interested in you!

If they are faithful? Hmmm I'm note sure what to say about it. I have met many people (girls,

friends, friends of friends) they have different opinions and different style life. What I tend

to think is that most of the men are not faithful after the marriage. I cannot say why or how, I

believe they are curious and after having their future decided they have time to think and be

curious about other kind of experiences. The women ... I must research more.

In the end, here you may love, you may be loved, and you

may feel the best! You may live a fairytale :).

wrote on 24 April 2011

Thank You

AZERBAIJAN!

This project has been funded with support from European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author and the Commission can not be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.